Neuropsychology and Functional Imaging

Section

The section was founded at the Ulm University Hospital in July 2004. At the same time a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner was installed in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. 6 medical and 9 non-medical scientists are currently working in the section.

Techniques/Methods

• 3-Tesla head-only MR scanner (Siemens Magnetom Allegra, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) founded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
• Visual, acoustic, and sensory stimulation for functional imaging
• MR-compatible response monitoring
• Sites for clinical and experimental neuropsychological assessments
• Statistical analysis of experimental imaging and behavioural data

Research

In the field of clinical-cognitive neuroscience we use functional MR imaging in order to investigate and explore human brain function under circumscribed neuropsychological conditions. The focus is on central psychic processes and their dysfunction that correlates with psychiatric illness, and may contribute to the development or maintenance of psychic disorders. Starting with their normal function we try to bring these processes under experimental control and to get them measurable under the methodological affordances of MR imaging. Employing appropriate study designs we then search for commonalities and differences between normal and impaired functioning in behavioural and imaging data. 

Education and Courses

Introduction to Functional Imaging (theory and practice)
Cognitive Neuroscience in Psychiatry (lectures)

 
Research

Publications of Section